Juvenile cynomolgus monkey (IT) and CD-1 mouse (SC, systemic effects)
“Based on the intended patient population (neonates to adolescents), 14- and 53-week repeat dose toxicology studies were conducted in juvenile cynomolgus monkeys using IT dose administration.”
✓ VerifiedFDA pharmacology/toxicology review, p. 74Source ↗
Why that species
No animal has SMN2; monkey used for clinical IT route/CNS exposure, transgenic SMA mice for pharmacology
“Since humans are the only species known to have the SMN2 gene, in vivo pharmacology was examined in mouse models of SMA in which the endogenous mouse gene has been removed and the human SMN2 gene is expressed.”
✓ VerifiedFDA pharmacology/toxicology review, p. 8Source ↗
Surrogate molecule
No surrogate; clinical ASO tested; human-SMN2 transgenic mice used for pharmacology only
“In vivo studies (using intracerebroventricular and intrathecal [IT] administration) were conducted in transgenic mouse models of SMA because only humans are known to have the SMN2 gene.”
✓ VerifiedFDA pharmacology/toxicology review, p. 79Source ↗